When I was much younger, I don’t recall anyone ever saying, “As you age, time seems to fly by faster.” Perhaps my lack of memory of this was simply just a part of being youthful.
Since completing last year’s Caddo Lake photo safari, I have been looking forward to this year’s tour. Maybe it was the mix of vibrant autumn foliage reflected in the bayou’s mirrored waters or experiencing the quiet of a Spanish moss-draped cypress forest, or perhaps it was the easy nature of this landscape that lulled me into the enjoyment of exploring this unique place with my camera.
Never have I had the opportunity to compose and expose frames with such ease and delight. Maybe it was the chance to work with my talented co-guide and wife, Melissa Scott. The year between visits to Caddo passed quickly, and it was great to be back, and with Melissa.
Like the previous year, we spent our mornings and afternoons exploring the quiet backwater bayous of Caddo Lake and the many smaller lakes that make up this cypress forest. Slowly plying the smooth mirror-like waters of the rivers and ponds supporting the lake system here, our two small boats would transport us through a labyrinth of autumn color. With the views and the scene ever-changing, we could stop the boat and concentrate on any one angle or composition that met our fancy. This is a fantastic locale to learn or practice landscape photography; some excursions onto the bayou didn’t take us very far from the dock and we were soon immersed in composing ethereal images of this magical place.
Autumn photography here is not just about autumn color. It is about the forest structure, repeated patterns, and varied textures. It’s about understanding positive and negative space, all enhanced by painterly reflections over black water. These make for captivating natural scenes that are challenging to find in other locations. It is unclear if it was the clear skies and mild dry weather, but we also enjoyed an abundance of birdlife that added to the experience of photographing at Caddo this year. There was no shortage of great egrets and white ibis feeding and roosting in many of the locations we photographed. With a bit of patience and a keen eye, we could often find a great blue heron silently stalking some shadowy backwater.
Having the chance to explore various techniques and approaches in landscape photography allows time to slow down. This deliberate pace is essential for capturing engaging images. It was wonderful to see our travelers experimenting with different scenes from multiple angles in such a convenient location. More than once, I heard someone remark that compositions seem to be everywhere they looked. Despite my intention to take fewer photos, I ended up capturing just as many as I did the previous year. The joy and excitement this photography experience brings really enhances the group dynamic, fostering a strong sense of camaraderie that adds to everyone’s enjoyment.
Now that I’m past middle age and time feels like it’s flying by, it’s refreshing to have such a spectacular place to slow down and fully appreciate photography. I’m already looking forward to returning next year!
